International Communique on Laos Urges Release of Lao Hmong Refugees in Thailand

"The Lao Movement for Human Rights denounces, once more, the non-respect of the basic rights of these 158 Lao-Hmongs, and the obvious violation of the political refugee status officially granted them by the UNHCR.
The Lao Movement for Human Rights asks for the immediate release of these 158 refugees; It appeals to the Thai and Lao governments to stop the repatriations of the Lao-Hmong civilians and to respect international laws," said the Lao Movement for Human Rights and its President Vanida S. Thephsouvanh in a international appeal and statement.

(Media-Newswire.com) - Paris, France, Washington, D.C. , Vientiane, Laos, Bangkok, Thailand, November 19, 2009 - The Paris, France based Lao Movement for Human Rights ( LMHR or MLDH, Mouvement Lao pour les Droits de l’Homme ) has issued an international communiqué and press statement today urging the release and freedom for the Lao Hmong refugees being detained in squalid condition in Nong Khai, Thailand prior to the start of the SEA Games in Laos.

"A growing international appeal has been made to urge Thai Prime Minister Abhisit and General Anupong to immediately cease the forced repatriation of Lao Hmong political refugees at Ban Huay Nam Khao and Nong Khai, Thailand, back to the brutal communist regime in Laos where the Laotian refugees fled persecution and attack by the Lao army and LPDR regime," said Philip Smith, Executive Director of the Washington,D.C.-based Center for Public Policy Analysis ( CPPA ).

The 158 Lao Hmong refugees fled political and religious persecution in the Lao Peoples Democratic Republic ( LPDR ) and were sent to Nong Khai in an effort to forcibly repatriate them to Laos. Royal Thai soldiers have repeatedly used tear gas and other violent and psychological measures to coerce the Lao Hmong political refugees to return to Laos where many also fled military attacks by the Lao army, ethnic cleansing and a campaign of mass starvation. Royal Thailand Army Chief-of-Staff General Anupong Paochinda as well as Thailand's Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and Minister of Interior ( MOI ) Chavarat Charnvirakulhave have mobilized over 320 heavily-armed troops in the Lao Hmong refugee camp at Ban Huay Nam Khao, Thailand, and are reportedly preparing for the potential mass forced repatriation of the refugees prior to the start of the Southeast Asia Games ( SEA Games ) in Laos. There is growing fear that the Lao Hmong refugees at Nong Khai could be forcibly repatriated thereafter.

The LMHR, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees ( UNHCR ), the Center for Public Policy Analysis ( CPPA ), the Lao Hmong Human Rights Council, Inc. ( LHHRC ), the Lao Veterans of America, Inc. ( LVA ), the Lao Veterans of America Institute ( LVAI ), Hmong Advance, Inc. ( HA ), Hmong Advancement, Inc. ( HAI ), the United League for Democracy in Laos, Inc. ( ULDL ), the Lao Institute for Democracy ( LIFD ), the Lao Students Movement for Democracy ( LSMD ) and a coalition of Lao and Hmong non-governmental organizations have urged the Royal Thai government to release the refugees and allow them to be resettled in third countries that have agreed to grant them political asylum. http://www.pr-inside.com/sea-games-crisis-in-laos-mldh-r1578605.htm

The following is the text of the international communiqué and press statement ( in the English and French language ) by the LMHR and its President Vanida S. Thephsouvanh issued around the globe on November 18-19, 2009:

"Laos-Thailand : Freedom for the 158 Lao-Hmong refugees of Nong Khai

One hundred and fifty eight Lao-Hmong refugees, among whom are more than 85 children, having been detained for more than 1095 days in the Center of detention of Nong Khaï, a Thai city at the Lao border, will be sent back to the Lao People's Democratic Republic ( LPDR ).

These persons who had chosen to flee the LPDR for their life and safety, have been recognized as political refugees by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees ( UNHCR ). According to the UNHCR spokesman, they found a host country, but have been placed in detention for three years now, the Thai and the LPDR authorities having agreed to send some 8.000 civilian Lao-Hmongs in Thailand back to Laos before the end of 2009.

The Lao Movement for Human Rights denounces, once more, the non-respect of the basic rights of these 158 Lao-Hmongs, and the obvious violation of the political refugee status officially granted them by the UNHCR.The Lao Movement for Human Rights asks for the immediate release of these 158 refugees. It appeals to the Thai and Lao governments to stop the repatriations of the Lao-Hmong civilians and to respect international laws.

The Lao Movement for Human Rights appeals to all the donors – especially the European Union and its 27 member States, the United Nations, the United States, Japan, Australia, ASEAN and the International financial institutions – to act firmly upon the Lao leaders so that deep reforms are trully engaged to bring human rights respect, freedom and democracy in Laos."

( End international communiqué and press statement in English by LMHR and its President Mrs. Vanida S. Thephsouvanh, November 18-19, 2009 )

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